System, method and apparatus for integrated tissue sampling and tissue marker placement

ABSTRACT

A medical device can include an actuator that is gripped and manipulated by an operator of the medical device. An outer cannula can extend from the actuator along an axis. The outer cannula can include a tissue reception port. An inner cannula can be located inside the outer cannula and extend in an axial direction. An inner lumen can be located inside the inner cannula and actuated to collect a tissue sample via the tissue reception port. In addition, a secondary lumen can be adjacent to the outer cannula and actuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy site via a marker deployment port. Tissue sampling and marker placement functions can be integrated within only one medical device such that the medical device is a single apparatus that performs both tissue sampling and marker placement functions.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/888,527, filed Feb. 5, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application No. 62/454,955, filed Feb. 6, 2017, each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Disclosure

The present invention relates in general to medical devices and, inparticular, to a system, method and apparatus for integrated tissuesampling and tissue marker placement.

Description of the Prior Art

Breast cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in theUnited States. Early detection and treatment of breast cancer isimportant to decrease cancer related mortality and to improvedisease-free survival. Various imaging modalities (e.g. mammography,tomosynthesis, ultrasound, MRI) are used in screening, diagnosis andtreatment of breast cancer. If cancer is suspected based on clinicalexam and/or imaging findings, further evaluation is commonly done withpercutaneous biopsy to obtain tissue samples which are subsequently sentfor laboratory analysis. More than 1.5 million breast biopsies areestimated to be performed in the United States every year, and more than5 million breast biopsies are estimated to be performed in the rest ofthe world every year.

Currently, most biopsies are performed under real-time imaging guidance(e.g. ultrasound, mammography or MRI). Biopsies can be performed usingvacuum-assisted biopsy devices, which can be better than conventionaldevices. After the biopsy samples are taken, a tissue marker is placedat the biopsy site utilizing a separate marker placement device. This isfollowed by mammogram to verify the location of the marker. Markerplacement is a very important step and is routinely done. The markermarks the site of biopsy and helps to confirm that the biopsy wasactually obtained from the mass or area of calcification or suspiciousarea, and not from adjacent normal breast tissue. If the pathology comesback benign, and no further treatment is deemed necessary, the markerwill mark the area of interest and in future imaging (generallymammogram) the physician will know that the site marked with marker wasbenign and will not confuse with suspicious abnormality. If thepathology is malignant so that the mass or suspected area has to besurgically removed, the marker will serve as a target for the physicianto place localization wire which will guide the surgeon to remove themass or the area of interest. The marker should be placed at the correctsite of the biopsy, and the marker should not be moved or get displacedduring or after the deployment.

There are several disadvantages of currently available biopsy devicesand marker placement devices. First, two separate devices have to beused. Once biopsy is done, the biopsy cannula or needle is taken outfrom the breast and a new marker placement needle is percutaneouslyinserted into the breast the tip aiming at the biopsy site, followed bydeployment of the marker. For example, a biopsy apparatus for obtainingtissue samples is disclosed by Miller in U.S. Pat. No. 6,638,235, whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. After completion ofthe biopsy sampling, a separate apparatus like the device described byChesbrough in U.S. Pat. No. 8,052,708 (or other similar devices) isinserted percutaneously to deploy the tissue marker.

There are several disadvantages with these techniques. First, there isincreased procedure time and patient discomfort as the insertion has tobe done twice. Double insertion also increases the trauma to the breasttissue. Sometimes it is difficult to insert the marker placement needleto the exact site of biopsy especially in patients with dense breastwhich tend to have increased resistant to the insertion of the needle.Conversely, large or fatty breasts tend to have low resistance, and themarker can move away from the site of the biopsy.

It is possible to obviate the need of double insertion by either leavinga sheath or the outer cannula of the biopsy apparatus so that a markerplacement device can be inserted through the sheath or the outercannula. For example, a device as described by Selis in U.S. Pat. No.8,454,629 can be used for such applications. The disadvantage of thistechnique is that another device is needed and also another step isneeded in part of the physician increasing cost and procedure time. Thesheath or the outer cannula of the biopsy device left in place to servethe purpose of port for marker placement device tends to move especiallywith ultrasound guided techniques as the physician has to disconnect thecannula or the sheath from the remaining part of the biopsy system andretract the remaining of the biopsy system.

In addition, with all types of available devices and methods performedunder ultrasound guidance, the physician or technologist is required tohold the ultrasound probe in place while getting ready for markerplacement. In any case due to dead time and extra steps, the ultrasoundprobe tends to move from the site. This causes problems in accurate sitelocalization for deployment of the marker as small lesions will becompletely removed during biopsy procedure and the physician will haveto guess the area of biopsy.

There are systems in which back end of the biopsy system can be openedand the marker placement device is inserted through the inner cannula ofthe biopsy system. For example, as described by Beckman in U.S. Pat. No.7,465,279. However such methods have disadvantage of needing twoseparate devices and also two different people, one for holding thebiopsy system and another for inserting the marker placement device.Again during such maneuver, there is the possibility of some movement ofthe biopsy cannula and marker deployment site may not be accurate. Alsothis involves extra step in the procedure increasing the procedure timeand patient discomfort.

There is an intrinsic mechanical problem of utilizing the main lumen ofthe outer cannula of the biopsy device as a port of the marker placementdevice insertion. The outer needle or cannula has lateral openingforming a tissue receiving port. Although the needle is supposed to berotated 180 degrees after the deployment of the marker through the portto prevent entrapment of the marker into the port and subsequentdisplacement after deployment or complete retraction with the retractionof the needle, such problems are not completely resolved with rotationtechnique and the marker can get entrapped in the port and rotate withthe needle and subsequently get lodged into an incorrect site or getcompletely retracted.

Given the abovementioned disadvantages of the currently available biopsyand marker placement methods and devices, further improvements in themethods and devices continue to be of interest. There is a need of asingle apparatus to perform both functions. It is in the interest of thepatient, physician and our society not only to decrease the cost ofprocedure but also to decrease the time needed to do the procedure.These can be done utilizing the embodiments disclosed herein, which caneliminate the need of using two different devices. A single device forbiopsy sampling and marker placement can potentially decrease the costof the procedures. This involves fewer steps to be done by thephysician, thus decreasing procedure time and improving patient outcome,including patient comfort and satisfaction. This also can decreasehealth care costs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for integrated tissuesampling and tissue marker placement are disclosed. For example, anapparatus can include integrated tissue sampling and marker placementsystems that can decrease the procedure time and potentially decreasethe equipment cost. This can improve the positional accuracy of themarker placement and can help prevent marker displacement afterdeployment, which can lead to overall patient and physiciansatisfaction. In some embodiments, methods of biopsy and tissue markerplacement are disclosed. These can provide an integrated, dual-function,disposable apparatus for obtaining tissue samples and placing tissuemarker using a single device and single insertion.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of these embodiments willbe apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the appendedclaims and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the features and advantages of theembodiments are attained and can be understood in more detail, a moreparticular description may be had by reference to the embodimentsthereof that are illustrated in the appended drawings. However, thedrawings illustrate only some embodiments and therefore are not to beconsidered limiting in scope as there may be other equally effectiveembodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic, partially sectioned top view of an embodiment ofa biopsy device and integrated marker placement system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic, sectional end view of an embodiment of the systemof FIG. 1, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is another schematic, sectional end view of an embodiment of thesystem of FIG. 1, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic, partially sectioned top view of anotherembodiment of a biopsy device and integrated marker placement system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic, sectional end view of an embodiment of the systemof FIG. 4, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is another schematic, sectional end view of an embodiment of thesystem of FIG. 4, taken along the line 6-6 of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a schematic, sectional end view of an alternate embodiment ofa system.

FIG. 8 is a schematic, sectional end view of yet another embodiment of asystem.

FIG. 9 is a schematic, partially sectioned top view of still anotherembodiment of a biopsy device and integrated marker placement system.

FIG. 10 is a schematic, partially sectioned top view of an embodiment ofan introducer device.

FIGS. 11 -13 are schematic side, top and end views of an embodiment of aplunger.

FIGS. 14 and 15 are schematic, axial end views of additional embodimentsof integrated tissue sampling and marking devices.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a system, method and apparatus for a biopsy or tissuesampling with an integrated tissue marker placement are disclosed. Forexample, FIGS. 1-3 depict a device 21 that can include an axis 22, anouter cannula 23 having a primary lumen 53 and an inner cannula 25having an inner lumen 26. The outer and inner cannulas 23, 25 can bemounted to a hand piece or actuator 27. In some examples, the actuator27 can house a system for actuation and/or vacuum production, such asone of an ATEC, Celero or Sertera breast biopsy systems, from Hologic,Inc., located in Marlborough, Mass. Any of these devices, or others, canbe modified in accordance with the embodiments described herein, such asto actuate a marker deployment device.

At its proximal end, the inner cannula 25 can be connected to a tissuecollection system 29, which is illustrated schematically, in dashedline, smaller than its actual size. The outer cannula 23 can have atissue receiving port 31 along one lateral side, and a marker deploymentaperture 33 that can be opposite the tissue receiving port 31, in someversions. The distal end of the outer cannula 23 can have a cutting edge35 for penetration into tissue. In an example, the marker deploymentaperture 33 can be positioned along the axial length of the device 21 ata mid-line 32 (FIG. 1) of the tissue receiving port 31 or distalthereto, as indicated by arrows 34. In other examples, the markerdeployment aperture 33 can be placed in different positions. In someversions, the inner cannula 25 can consist of a single, continuous(monolithic) tube extending from adjacent the tissue receiving port 31to the tissue collection system 29, as shown. In other versions, theinner cannula 25 can comprise two or more tubular bodies (e.g., tubes)that are in fluid connection with each other. In an example, the outersurface of the inner cannula 25 can be textured within the actuator 27for better grip and manipulation by the motor system in the actuator 27.The texture on the exterior of inner cannula 25 can assist with bothaxial motion and rotational motion. Embodiments of the texture caninclude knurling or other textures known to those of ordinary skill inthe art.

In some embodiments, a secondary lumen 41 can extend through the outercannula 23. The secondary lumen 41 can be radially external to the innercannula 25. The secondary lumen 41 can be inside, within the body of oroutside of the outer cannula 23. A marker 37, such as a biopsy marker,can be positioned within the secondary lumen 41 near a marker deploymentaperture 33, such as adjacent to the cutting edge 35. In some examples,the marker 37 can comprise a Securmark or TriMark breast biopsy marker,from Hologic, Inc., located in Marlborough, Mass. The marker 37 caninclude one or more markers, such as a train of markers that can beindividually deployed.

Embodiments of the marker 37 can be adjacent to the distal end of asecondary lumen 41. The secondary lumen 41 also can be positioned withinan annulus between the outer and inner cannulas 23, 25. The annulus canbe defined as the thin space between the outer and inner cannulas 23, 25where the secondary lumen 41 can be placed. In some versions, there isfluid connection between the annulus and inner lumen 26 of the innercannula 25. In other versions, there is no fluid connection between theprimary lumen 53 and the secondary lumen 41. The secondary lumen 41 canbe outside the inner wall of the outer cannula 23.

The marker deployment aperture 33 of the outer cannula 23 can be locatedat the distal end of the secondary lumen 41, such as within the outercannula 23. Relative to axis 22, the marker deployment aperture 33 andthe tissue receiving port 31 can be opposite to each other (i.e.,aligned 180 degrees apart about axis 22). An axial movement device, suchas a plunger 43, can be positioned in the secondary lumen 41 andconfigured to deploy the marker 37. The plunger 43 can enter thesecondary lumen 41 via a proximal opening 45 in the body of the outercannula 23. A button 51, such as an actuation button, can be providedfor the plunger 43 on the actuator 27.

The embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a teardrop shape (in radialcross-section, relative to axis 22) for the outer cannula 23. Such adesign can include the primary lumen 53 inside the outer cannula 23, andthe secondary lumen 41 for deployment of the marker 37. Theaxially-sectional, outer shape of the primary lumen 53 can be circularto be complementary to the inner cannula 25, whereas the secondary lumen41 can be present in a radially thicker portion 42 of the outer cannula23, as opposed a radially thinner portion 44 of the outer cannula 23.The inner surface shape of the secondary lumen 41 also can be alsocircular to be complementary to the outer shape of the plunger 43. Othershapes that are complementary to the outer shape of the plunger 43 alsocan be employed.

In an embodiment of a method of using the system, biopsy samples can beobtained using conventional techniques that use the outer and innercannulas 23, 25 mounted to the actuator 27. For example, the innercannula 25 can be axially moved (see large arrows in FIG. 1) relative tothe outer cannula 23 to obtain one or more biopsy samples through tissueport 31 via vacuum system 61 (FIG. 1), which can be coupled to innercannula 25 and include a collection trap for the biopsy samples. Thedevice 21 can include a rotary motor as well as an axially reciprocatingmotor, and the device 21 can be hydraulically, pneumatically,magnetically and/or electrically actuated, in some examples.

Once the biopsy sampling is completed, the plunger 43 can be actuatedvia the button 51 on the actuator 27 so the marker 37 can be deployedvia the marker deployment aperture 33 of the secondary lumen 41. Theouter cannula 23 can then be removed from the tissue to complete boththe biopsy sampling and the tissue marker placement with a single deviceand single insertion in the tissue.

FIGS. 4-6 depict an alternate embodiment of a device 121 having an axis122, an outer or primary cannula 123, an inner or secondary cannula 125,actuator 127, biopsy collection aperture 131, marker deployment aperture133 and cutter 135. In addition, the device 121 can include a deploymentfixture 157 having a secondary lumen 141 provided on an exterior of theouter cannula 123. The deployment fixture 157 can have the markerdeployment aperture 137 and be used to deploy the marker 137 with theplunger 143. A hub 124 of the device 121 and the deployment fixture 157can both include openings 145 for the plunger 143 to extend through. Inthe illustrated example, the plunger 143 can extend from an interior ofactuator 127 and hub 124, to an exterior of the device 121, and theninto the secondary lumen 141 in the deployment fixture 157. For suchembodiments, the plunger 143 can be appropriately sealed to maintain theindependence of its operation and actuation from that of the tissuesampling device.

Alternatively, the plunger 143 can include an external portion 146 thatdoes not extend through hub 124, but is located entirely on an exteriorof the hub 124 and actuator 127. One example of the plunger 143 isdepicted in FIGS. 11-13. In this version, the plunger 143 comprises apartial sheath plunger, and can include a tip 148 for engaging themarker, a body 150 that is complementary in shape to an exterior of thedevice 121, and an actuation handle 152 adjacent the external portion146. In another example, a proximal portion of the plunger 143 can belocated inside the actuator 127, and the actuator 127 can include aswitch or button (see, e.g., button 51 in FIG. 1) to actuate the plunger143.

In addition, the primary cannula 123 can include a hub 124 forconnection to the actuator 127. Versions of the hub 124 can be formedwith the primary cannula 123 such that they are connected or even form acontinuous, monolithic component. In some embodiments, the hub 124 canhelp facilitate vacuum-assistance for the device 121. For example, thehub 124 can facilitate fluid to be provided to the primary lumen 153 ofthe outer cannula 123. Examples of the fluid can include one or more ofair, liquid irrigation (e.g., saline) or local anesthetic.

In some embodiments, the primary cannula 123 can have a variable axialshape along axis 122. For example, a proximal portion (along sectionline 5-5 of FIG. 4) of the primary cannula 123 can be circular (FIG. 5)in radial sectional shape between the hub 124 and the distal portion ofthe primary cannula 123. In contrast, the distal portion (along sectionline 6-6 of FIG. 4) of the primary cannula 123 can have a non-circularshape (e.g., teardrop shape), as shown in FIG. 6. Other shapes that canincorporate the marker and its deployment also can be used, such asthose that would enable the marker to be deployed opposite the biopsycollection, as described herein. During the medical procedure, suchshaped configurations of the primary cannula 123 can vertically alignwith the linear, vertical incision made in a patient, which can improvepatient comfort during the procedure.

Thus, the exterior of the primary cannula 123 can be complemented inshape by at least a partial sheath (see plunger 143 in FIGS. 4-6) on anexterior of primary cannula 123. The partial sheath can be narrow, suchas pointed, toward the distal end, which can be used to deploy themarker 137 from the marker deployment aperture 133. The marker 1 37 canbe deployed independently from the biopsy collection process of thedevice 121.

FIG. 7 depicts another embodiment of a device 221 having an outercannula 223 and an inner cannula 225. In this version, outer cannula 223can be circular in shape (as shown), but segmented by an inner panel orwall 226. Wall 226 can be used to independently seal and separate themarker 237 and the marker deployment function from the remaininginterior 253 and biopsy collection of the device 221. Thus, each of themarker deployment function and the biopsy collection function can beindependently actuated or performed without affecting the otherfunction. In addition, the inner cannula 225 can be provided with aD-shaped sectional end view profile. Such profiles can be configured todeter relative rotation between outer cannula 223 and inner cannula 225,which can be desirable for some applications.

Other alternate embodiments of a device 621 (FIG. 14) can include anouter cannula 623 with a circular radial profile and a primary lumen653. An inner cannula 625 having a circular radial profile and an innerlumen 626 can be located inside the outer cannula 623. The device 621can further include a partition or wall 626 located inside and extendingthe entire axial length of outer cannula 623. Walls 626 can separatemarker 637 and the marker deployment function from the annulus betweenthe interior of the outer cannula 623 and the exterior of the innercannula 625. The annulus can have a variable radial thickness orprofile, as shown. In another version (FIG. 15), the inner cannula 725of the device 721 can be contoured to be complementary in shape to thewall 726 inside the outer cannula 723 that separates the marker 737. Inthe version shown, the inner cannula can be moon-shaped, kidney-shaped,etc., in radial sectional profile, having both convex and concavesshapes.

FIG. 8 depicts an embodiment of still another system 321 having an outercannula 323 and an inner cannula 325. In this version, the exterior ofthe outer cannula 323 can be circular and located completely inside asheath 328. Examples of the outer cannula 323 can be both axially androtationally movable within the sheath 328. The space between theinterior of the sheath 328 and the exterior of the outer cannula 323 canprovide a pathway, such as through as a secondary lumen, to provide amarker deployment system for a marker 337. The marker 337 can bedeployed independently from the biopsy collection process of system 321.Such embodiments can be implemented and can be equivalent to using theannulus (described above) as the secondary lumen. These embodiments cancomprise non-circular shapes, such as a teardrop shape, a D-shape and/orother adherent shapes as well. In some versions, the sheath does notneed to move or rotate, so its outer non-circular shape does not causeany issues and the teardrop shape can be beneficial.

The embodiment of FIG. 8 can be used in conjunction with one or more ofthe features shown and described elsewhere herein. In other examples,embodiments of the marker can be integrated into an introducer 521 (FIG.10) comprising a hollow tube with an axis 522 that is open on each axialend, at both its hub 524 and its cutting edge 535. The introducer 521can be co-axial with the other components or their axes can be eccentricto each other. The primary lumen 553 of the co-axial introducer 521 canbe a port for a biopsy needle, and a secondary lumen 541 having an entryport 545 and a marker deployment aperture 533 can be provided for themarker 537 and a plunger or other marker deployment device.

As noted herein, the sheath 328 can completely circumscribe the outercannula 323. The sheath embodiments can be more suitable forstereotactic and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) procedures forintegrated biopsy collection and marker deployment systems that areactuated independently of each other by a single device. Alternatively,the marker can be directly attached adjacent to or at a distal end ofthe sheath 328 itself for deployment therefrom after one or more biopsysamples is taken by a biopsy collection tool used within the sheath 328.

In the embodiment of FIG. 9, the device 421 can include an inner cannula425 (which, alternatively, can be a solid stylet) that is stationary oraxially moveable, and an axially movable (relative to axis 422) outercannula 423. The inner cannula 423 can comprise the tissue receivingport 431, in this version, for collecting one or more biopsy sampleswhen the outer cannula 423 is actuated (see large arrows) to the dashedline position shown in FIG. 9 adjacent cutting edge 435 on the innercannula 425. This design can be a self-contained unit with actuator 427,can be spring-actuated, and can include no form of vacuum assistance.The device 421 also can deploy a marker 437 via the marker deploymentaperture 433 in the outer cannula 423. The device 421 may or may notinclude a secondary lumen 441. In some versions, the embodiment may notinclude a lumen of the inner cannula 425 when it is a solid stylet.

The embodiments disclosed herein can fulfill the need for adual-function, biopsy and marker placement apparatus by providing asingle, integrated device in which the marker deployment function isindependently contained and actuated within a single apparatus in such away that the aforementioned limitations of conventional solutions andmethods are overcome. The device can be hand held or fixed to a supportfixture.

Embodiments of the device can be disposable, and can include the outercannula with the cutting tip at the distal end, and the inner cannulawith a sharp cutting edge. The cannulas can be mounted to an actuator.The outer cannula can include two lumens, including a primary lumen forthe inner cannula, and a secondary lumen for the marker and markerdeployment plunger. The outer cannula can include a tissue receivingport where biopsied tissue can be moved and placed with a vacuum system.The tissue can be severed with the axial or axial and rotationalmovement of the inner cannula, which has a lumen to transport the tissueback to the collection system. Examples of vacuum-assisted breast biopsysystems were previously provided.

Opposite the tissue receiving port on the other side of the outercannula there can be an aperture for deployment of the tissue marker.The marker aperture can be at the distal end of the secondary lumen ofthe outer cannula. The outer cannula can be made in such a way that ithas an inner circular lumen where the inner cannula slides back andforth to obtain the tissue samples. The inner cannula and primary lumencan be independent of and operate/function independently of thesecondary lumen.

The shape of the outer cannula can be generally non-uniform in shape inan end sectional view. In some versions, the apical aspect of the shapecan include the secondary lumen. A plunger can be placed inside of thesecondary lumen and the actuation button for the plunger can bepositioned on the actuator or hand piece. A tissue marker can be placedat the distal end of the secondary lumen. The marker can be deployed byusing the plunger. Once the biopsy is performed, the plunger can beactuated to deploy the marker. Once the marker is deployed the entiresystem can be removed from the tissue. Such designs can prevent theentrapment of the marker in the receiver port as the marker is deployedfrom the opposite side. This can allow the physician to place the tissuemarker at the exact location of the biopsy. As the aperture for markerdeployment is at opposite side but at almost the same longitudinal depthof the biopsy tissue receiving port, the marker can lodge in theresection cavity that remains in the tissue after removal of the biopsysample.

The entire procedure can be done with a single insertion, and a singledevice, thereby increasing the accuracy of the procedure, decreasing thetotal time required for the procedure and, thus, improving patientsatisfaction and comfort while decreasing the time and potential cost ofthe procedure. Examples of this system can be used with ultrasound,mammography and MRI guided procedures.

One advantage of the non-circular shaped embodiments of the outercannula is that these shapes can be less traumatic to the tissue atinitial insertion, as this corresponds with the slit incision made toinsert the biopsy needle. Such shapes can have less tissue resistanceduring initial insertion through the skin incision compared to acircular shape for the outer cannula. However, making the proximalportion of the system more circular (see FIGS. 4 and 5) can preventtissue resistance during the rotation of the needle while obtainingmultiple samples.

In another embodiment, the outer cannula with secondary lumen caninclude a marker placement needle adherent to the outer cannula oppositeto the tissue reception port. In yet another embodiment, the plungersystem can include a safety feature that is required to be releasedprior to deployment of the marker to prevent accidental markerdeployment. In still another embodiment, the marker aperture can beplaced at the distal end of the outer cannula. In such versions, themarker may not be at the same level of the center of the biopsy cavityand the physician may have to retract the cannula prior to deployment ofthe marker to make sure the marker falls at the center of the biopsysite.

Other versions may include one or more of the following embodiments:

1. A medical device, comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice;

an outer cannula extending from the actuator along an axis, and theouter cannula comprises a primary lumen extending through the outercannula to a tissue reception port formed in the outer cannula;

an inner cannula located inside the outer cannula and extending in anaxial direction, the inner cannula having an inner lumen extendingthrough the inner cannula that is configured to be actuated to collect atissue sample via the tissue reception port and transport the tissuesample;

a marker placement device located m or adjacent to the primary lumen ofthe outer cannula, wherein the marker placement device is configured tobe actuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy site via a marker deploymentport; and

tissue sampling and marker placement functions are integrated within themedical device such that the medical device consists of a singleapparatus configured to perform both tissue sampling and markerplacement functions, and the marker placement function is independent ofand separately operable from the tissue sampling function.

2. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the innercannula is co-axial with the outer cannula.

3. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuereception port and the marker deployment port are located on oppositeradial sides of the outer cannula, relative to the axis.

4. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the secondarylumen is located inside the primary lumen of the outer cannula, thesecondary lumen is physically separated from the primary lumen by apartition, the marker deployment port extends from the primary lumen toan exterior of the outer cannula, and a distal end of the secondarylumen is adjacent the marker deployment port.

5. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the secondarylumen is external to the outer cannula and adjacent to an exteriorsurface of the outer cannula, and the secondary lumen comprises themarker deployment port.

6. The medical device of any of these embodiments, further comprising atissue collection system coupled to a proximal end of the inner cannula.

7. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuecollection system comprises a vacuum system, and the vacuum system iseither internal to the actuator or external of the actuator.

8. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuecollection system does not comprises a vacuum system.

9. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the actuatorcomprises a deployment switch for actuating a plunger inside thesecondary lumen to deploy the marker through the marker deployment port.

10. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the markeris retained in a retained position prior to actuation of the plunger.

11. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the plungerretains the marker in a retained position prior to actuation of theplunger.

12. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the outercannula has a radial sectional shape taken perpendicular to the axis,the radial sectional shape comprises a teardrop shape, and the markerplacement device is located in an annulus between the primary lumen andan exterior of the inner cannula.

13. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the outercannula has a radial sectional shape taken perpendicular to the axis,the radial sectional shape comprises a circular shape, and the markerdeployment device is located outside and attached to an exterior of theouter cannula.

14. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the actuatoris one of automated or manually gripped and actuated by the operator ofthe medical device.

15. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuesampling tunction is sealed and isolated from the marker placementfunction.

16. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuesampling function and the marker placement function are actuated byseparate and independent components of the medical device.

17. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the medicaldevice does not comprise a sheath that is external to the outer cannula.

18. The medical device of any of these embodiments, where a vacuum isapplied to the primary lumen via the inner lumen during the tissuesampling, the vacuum is terminated before actuation of the markerdeployment device, and no portion of the medical tool is required to berotated during operation.

19. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the markeris configured to locate in a void formed by removal of a tissue sample.

20. A medical device, comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice;

an outer cannula extending from the actuator, the outer cannula having atissue sampling lumen configured to take a tissue sample, and a markerplacement lumen configured to deploy a marker, the tissue sampling lumenof the outer cannula contains one of an inner cannula, a stylet or atissue receiving system, the marker placement lumen contains a plungerconfigured to deploy the marker, wherein both the tissue sampling andmarker deployment are integrated into the medical device, the medicaldevice consists of only one apparatus, the tissue sampling and markerdeployment are mechanically compartmentalized and functionally separatedfrom each other within the only one apparatus, and are not in fluidcommunication with each other such that the tissue sampling and markerdeployment function independently of each other.

21. A medical device, comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice;

an outer cannula extending from the actuator along an axis, and theouter cannula comprises a hub mounted to the actuator, and a primarylumen extending through the outer cannula to a tissue reception portformed in the outer cannula, and the outer cannula comprises a variableaxial shape along the axis, the variable axial shape comprises aproximal portion that is circular in radial sectional shape between thehub and a distal portion of the primary cannula, and the distal portionis a non-circular in radial sectional shape;

an inner cannula located inside the outer cannula and extending in anaxial direction, the inner cannula having an inner lumen extendingthrough the inner cannula that is configured to be actuated to collect atissue sample via the tissue reception port and transport the tissuesample;

a marker placement device located adjacent to the primary lumen of theouter cannula, wherein the marker placement device is configured to beactuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy site via a marker deploymentport; and

tissue sampling and marker placement functions are integrated within themedical device such that the medical device consists of a singleapparatus configured to perform both tissue sampling and markerplacement functions, and the marker placement function is independent ofand separately operable from the tissue sampling function.

22. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the distalportion of the primary cannula comprises a teardrop shape in radialsection.

23. The medical device of any of these embodiments, further comprising apartial sheath plunger that is configured to be actuated to deploy themarker, the partial sheath plunger extends axially from adjacent to thehub to adjacent to the marker deployment port.

24. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the partialsheath plunger comprises a variable axial shape and the partial sheathplunger only partially circumscribes the medical device.

25. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the partialsheath plunger is located partially inside the medical device andpartially outside of the medical device.

26. A medical device, comprising:

a tissue sampling device comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice

an outer cannula extending from the actuator along an axis, and theouter cannula comprises a primary lumen extending through the outercannula to a tissue reception port formed in the outer cannula

an inner cannula located inside the outer cannula and extending in anaxial direction, the inner cannula having an inner lumen extendingthrough the inner cannula that is configured to be actuated to collect atissue sample via the tissue reception port and transport the tissuesample and the medical device further comprises:

a tube inside which the tissue sampling device is configured to extend,the tube comprises a distal end and a marker placement device locatedadjacent to the distal end of the tube, wherein the marker placementdevice is configured to be actuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy sitevia a marker deployment port in the tube; and

tissue sampling and marker placement functions are integrated within themedical device such that the medical device is configured to performboth tissue sampling and marker placement functions, and the markerplacement function is independent of and separately operable from thetissue sampling function.

27. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the markerplacement device comprises a secondary lumen that extends axiallythrough the tube, and the marker is located inside the secondary lumenadjacent to the marker deployment port which is also in the secondarylumen.

28. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuesampling device comprises a cutting edge, and the tube comprises asheath without a cutting edge.

29. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tissuesampling device does not comprise a cutting edge, and the tube comprisesan introducer with a cutting edge.

30. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the tubecomprises a variable axial shape along the axis, the variable axialshape comprises a proximal portion that is circular in radial sectionalshape, and a distal portion that is a non-circular in radial sectionalshape.

31. A medical device, comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice;

an outer cannula extending from the actuator along an axis, and theouter cannula comprises a primary lumen extending through the outercannula to a tissue reception port formed in the outer cannula;

an inner cannula located inside the outer cannula and extending in anaxial direction, the inner cannula having an inner lumen extendingthrough the inner cannula that is configured to be actuated to collect atissue sample via the tissue reception port and transport the tissuesample;

a marker placement device located in or adjacent to the primary lumen ofthe outer cannula, wherein the marker placement device is configured tobe actuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy site via a marker deploymentport; and

tissue sampling and marker placement functions are integrated within themedical device such that the medical device consists of a singleapparatus configured to perform both tissue sampling and markerplacement functions, and the marker placement function is independent ofand separately operable from the tissue sampling function.

32. The medical device of any of these embodiments, wherein the outercannula comprises a cutting end, and the tissue reception port and themarker deployment port are located on opposite radial sides of the outercannula, relative to the axis, adjacent to the cutting end.

33. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein thesecondary lumen is located inside the primary lumen of the outercannula, the secondary lumen is physically separated from the primarylumen by a partition, the marker deployment port extends from theprimary lumen to an exterior of the outer cannula, and a distal end ofthe secondary lumen is adjacent to the marker deployment port.

34. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, furthercomprising a tissue collection system coupled to a proximal end of theinner cannula, and the tissue collection system comprises a vacuumsystem, and the vacuum system is either internal to the actuator orexternal of the actuator.

35. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein theactuator comprises a deployment switch for actuating a plunger insidethe secondary lumen to deploy the marker through the marker deploymentport.

36. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein theouter cannula has two different radial sectional shapes takenperpendicular to the axis, a first one of the radial sectional shapescomprises a non-circular shape, and a second one of the radial sectionalshapes comprises a circular shape.

37. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein thetissue sampling function is sealed and isolated from the markerplacement function, and the tissue sampling function and the markerplacement function are actuated by separate and independent componentsof the medical device.

38. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein themedical device does not comprise a sheath that is external to the outercannula.

39. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein theouter cannula comprises a hub mounted to the actuator, and the outercannula comprises a variable axial shape along the axis, the variableaxial shape comprises a proximal portion that is circular in radialsectional shape between the hub and a distal portion of the outercannula, and the distal portion is a non-circular in radial sectionalshape.

40. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein adistal portion of the outer cannula comprises a teardrop shape in radialsection.

41. The medical device of any one of any of these embodiments, furthercomprising a partial sheath plunger that is configured to be actuated todeploy the marker, the partial sheath plunger extends axially fromadjacent to the actuator to adjacent to the marker deployment port.

42. The medical device of any one of any of these embodiments, furthercomprising a partial sheath plunger having a variable axial shape, andthe partial sheath plunger only partially circumscribes the medicaldevice.

43. The medical device of any one of any of these embodiments, furthercomprising a partial sheath plunger located partially inside the medicaldevice and partially outside of the medical device.

44. The medical device of any of any of these embodiments, wherein theouter cannula comprises a tube having a distal end and the marker islocated adjacent to the distal end of the tube, wherein the marker isconfigured to be deployed by a plunger in the tube at a biopsy site viathe marker deployment port in the tube.

45. A medical device, comprising:

an actuator configured to be manipulated by an operator of the medicaldevice;

an outer cannula extending from the actuator along an axis, and theouter cannula comprises a primary lumen extending through the outercannula;

an inner cannula located inside the outer cannula and extending in anaxial direction, the inner cannula comprises a solid component withoutan inner lumen extending through the inner cannula;

a marker placement device located m or adjacent to the primary lumen ofthe outer cannula, wherein the marker placement device is configured tobe actuated to deploy a marker at a biopsy site via a marker deploymentport; and

a tissue reception port configured to be actuated to collect a tissuesample.

This written description uses examples to disclose the embodiments,including the best mode, and also to enable those of ordinary skill inthe art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope is definedby the claims, and may include other examples that occur to thoseskilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within thescope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differfrom the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalentstructural elements with insubstantial differences from the literallanguages of the claims.

Note that not all of the activities described above in the generaldescription or the examples are required, that a portion of a specificactivity may not be required, and that one or more further activitiesmay be performed in addition to those described. Still further, theorder in which activities are listed are not necessarily the order inwhich they are performed.

In the foregoing specification, the concepts have been described withreference to specific embodiments. However, one of ordinary skill in theart appreciates that various modifications and changes can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in theclaims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to beregarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and allsuch modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofinvention.

It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words andphrases used throughout this patent document. The term “communicate,” aswell as derivatives thereof, encompasses both direct and indirectcommunication. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well asderivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” isinclusive, meaning and/or. The phrase “associated with,” as well asderivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within,interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with,couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave,juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a propertyof, have a relationship to or with, or the like. The phrase “at leastone of,” when used with a list of items, means that differentcombinations of one or more of the listed items may be used, and onlyone item in the list may be needed. For example, “at least one of: A, B,and C” includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, Aand C, B and C, and A and B and C.

Also, the use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements andcomponents described herein. This is done merely for convenience and togive a general sense of the scope of the invention. This descriptionshould be read to include one or at least one and the singular alsoincludes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

The description in the present application should not be read asimplying that any particular element, step, or function is an essentialor critical element that must be included in the claim scope. The scopeof patented subject matter is defined only by the allowed claims.Moreover, none of the claims invokes 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) with respect toany of the appended claims or claim elements unless the exact words“means for” or “step for” are explicitly used in the particular claim,followed by a participle phrase identifying a function. Use of termssuch as (but not limited to) “mechanism,” “module,” “, device,” “unit,”“component,” “element,” “member,” “apparatus,” “machine,” “system,”“processor,” or “controller” within a claim is understood and intendedto refer to structures known to those skilled in the relevant art, asfurther modified or enhanced by the features of the claims themselves,and is not intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112(f).

Benefits, other advantages, and solutions to problems have beendescribed above with regard to specific embodiments. However, thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any feature(s) that maycause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeature of any or all the claims.

After reading the specification, skilled artisans will appreciate thatcertain features are, for clarity, described herein in the context ofseparate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a singleembodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity,described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be providedseparately or in any subcombination. Further, references to valuesstated in ranges include each and every value within that range.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. An integrated, dual function medical apparatusconfigured to enable the collection of a tissue sample from a biopsysite of a patient and placement of a tissue marker at the biopsy sitevia a single insertion of the medical apparatus, the medical apparatuscomprising: a tissue collection system including an outer cannuladefining a sharp distal tip, a proximal actuator and an outer cannulawall defining a primary lumen extending therebetween, the outer cannulawall further defining a tissue receiving port in fluid communicationwith the primary lumen; and an inner cannula axially shiftable relativeto the outer cannula between a first position enabling the tissue samplefrom the biopsy site of the patient to enter the primary lumen of theouter cannula through the tissue receiving port, and a second positionenabling isolation of the tissue sample from the biopsy site forcollection purposes; and a marker deployment device including structuredefining a secondary lumen configured to house at least one tissuemarker for selective deployment at the biopsy site, the secondary lumenseparated from the primary lumen by an inner panel configured toseparate the secondary lumen from the primary lumen, thereby enablingoperation of the tissue collection system independent from the markerdeployment device.
 22. The medical apparatus of claim 21, wherein theinner panel between the primary lumen from the secondary lumen isconfigured to isolate and inhibit a fluid connection between the primarylumen and the secondary lumen.
 23. The medical apparatus of claim 21,wherein the primary lumen and the secondary lumen are defined by theouter cannula, wherein the portion of the outer cannula between theprimary lumen and the secondary lumen comprises the inner panel.
 24. Themedical apparatus of claim 21, wherein the structure defining thesecondary lumen of the marker deployment device further defines a markerdeployment aperture positioned along a lateral side of the medicalapparatus opposite to the tissue receiving port.
 25. The medicalapparatus of claim 24, wherein the marker deployment aperture ispositioned along an axial length of the medical apparatus at anapproximate mid-line of the tissue receiving port.
 26. The medicalapparatus of claim 21, wherein the outer cannula has a variable crosssection along its axial length.
 27. The medical apparatus of claim 21,wherein at least a portion of the outer cannula has a generallynon-circular cross sectional shape configured to vertically align withan incision made in the patient.
 28. The medical apparatus of claim 21,wherein the primary lumen and the inner cannula have a complimentarynon-circular cross sectional shape to inhibit rotation of the innercannula relative to the primary lumen.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The medicalapparatus of claim 21, wherein the secondary lumen of the markerdeployment device is configured to house a train of tissue markers. 31.The medical apparatus of claim 21, wherein the marker deployment devicefurther includes a plunger positioned in the secondary lumen, configuredto act as a deployment mechanism for the at least one tissue marker. 32.The medical apparatus of claim 21, further comprising a sheathconfigured to at least partially surround the outer cannula.
 33. Themedical apparatus of claim 32, wherein the sheath is configured tocontain the marker deployment device.
 34. An integrated, dual functionmedical apparatus configured to enable the collection of a tissue sampleand placement of a tissue marker at a biopsy site via a single insertionof the medical apparatus, the medical apparatus comprising: a tissuecollection system including a stationary inner cannula defining a sharpdistal tip, a proximal actuator and structure defining a tissuereceiving port; and an outer cannula axially shiftable relative to thestationary inner cannula between a first position enabling the tissuesample from the biopsy site of the patient to enter the tissue receivingport of the stationary inner cannula, and a second position enablingisolation of the tissue sample from the biopsy site for collectionpurposes; and a marker deployment device including structure defining asecondary lumen configured to house at least one tissue marker forselective deployment at the biopsy site, the secondary lumen separatedfrom the primary lumen by an inner panel configured to independentlyseal and separate the secondary lumen from the primary lumen, therebyenabling operation of the tissue collection system independent from themarker deployment device.
 35. The medical apparatus of claim 34, whereinthe primary lumen and the secondary lumen are defined by the outercannula, wherein the portion of the outer cannula between the primarylumen and the secondary lumen comprises the inner panel.
 36. The medicalapparatus of claim 34, wherein the outer cannula has a variable crosssection along its axial length.
 37. The medical apparatus of claim 34,wherein at least a portion of the outer cannula has a generallynon-circular cross sectional shape configured to vertically align withan incision made in the patient.
 38. The medical apparatus of claim 34,wherein the primary lumen and the inner cannula have a complimentarynon-circular cross sectional shape to inhibit rotation of the innercannula relative to the primary lumen.
 39. (canceled)
 40. A method ofcollecting a tissue sample from a biopsy site of a patient and placementof a tissue marker at the biopsy site, the method comprising: insertinga sharp distal tip of an outer cannula into a patient to position atissue receiving port defined by the outer cannula in proximity to abiopsy site of a patient; axially shifting an inner cannula relative tothe outer cannula between a first position enabling the tissue samplefrom the biopsy site of the patient to enter a primary lumen of theouter cannula through the tissue receiving port, and a second positionenabling isolation of the tissue sample from the biopsy site forcollection purposes; and deploying at least one tissue marker at thebiopsy site from a secondary lumen, wherein the secondary lumen isseparated from the primary lumen by an inner panel configured toindependently seal and separate the secondary lumen from the primarylumen.
 41. The medical apparatus of claim 32, wherein the sheathcontains a main lumen of the sheath and a secondary lumen, wherein theportion of the sheath between the main lumen of the sheath and secondarylumen comprises the inner panel, and wherein the outer cannula issituated within the main lumen of the sheath.
 42. The medical apparatusof claim 34, further comprising a sheath positioned external to theouter cannula and configured to contain the marker deployment device.43. The medical apparatus of claim 42, wherein the sheath contains amain lumen of the sheath and a secondary lumen, wherein the portion ofthe sheath between the main lumen of the sheath and secondary lumencomprises the inner panel, and wherein the outer cannula is situatedwithin the main lumen of the sheath.
 44. A method of collecting a tissuesample from a biopsy site of a patient and placement of a tissue markerat the biopsy site, the method comprising: inserting a sharp distal tipof an inner cannula into a patient to position a tissue receiving portdefined by the inner cannula in proximity to a biopsy site of a patient;axially shifting an outer cannula relative to the inner cannula betweena first position enabling the tissue sample from the biopsy site of thepatient to enter the tissue receiving port of the inner cannula, and asecond position enabling isolation of the tissue sample from the biopsysite for collection purposes; and deploying at least one tissue markerat the biopsy site from a secondary lumen, wherein the secondary lumenis separated from the primary lumen by an inner panel configured toindependently seal and separate the secondary lumen from the primarylumen.